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Air Pollution and Global Pediatric Pneumococcal Disease

Kristen A Bastug1, Beth K Thielen1, Peter P Moschovis2

  • 1Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|October 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Air pollution is a major risk factor for childhood lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), especially from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Understanding this link is crucial for protecting children in low-resource settings.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) significantly impacts child mortality globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is the primary pathogen causing LRTI, despite widespread pneumococcal vaccination efforts.
  • Air pollution is a leading risk factor for LRTI deaths, with climate change expected to exacerbate exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of pneumococcal pneumonia on child mortality.
  • To introduce air pollution concepts and their mechanisms in respiratory disease.
  • To highlight environmental risk factors for LRTI, focusing on Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing evidence.
  • Synthesis of data on air pollution and respiratory pathogens.
  • Focus on pediatric populations and environmental exposures.

Main Results:

  • Pneumococcal pneumonia remains a critical cause of child mortality.
  • Air pollution contributes to respiratory disease through various mechanisms.
  • Environmental factors, including air pollutants, are key risk factors for LRTI.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric infectious disease practitioners must understand air pollution's role in childhood LRTI.
  • Climate change may alter air pollution exposure, impacting LRTI epidemiology.
  • Targeting air pollution is essential for reducing child mortality from Streptococcus pneumoniae infections.

Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaeair pollutionchild healthclimate changepneumococcal infections

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